Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Government to re-open Vatican embassy on 'scaled-down' basis

THE Government is reopening its embassy in the Holy See, it has been announced.

The decision was made at Cabinet this morning.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it will be a scaled down mission with just one diplomat.

New embassies will also be opened in Bangkok, Jakarta, Zagreb in Croatia and Nairobi.

New consulates will be opened in Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and Austin, in Texas.

The
Department said the reopening of the embassy in the Holy See will allow
Ireland to engage directly with the leadership of Pope Francis on the
issues of poverty eradication, hunger and human rights.

“Over the
past five years our diplomats have been tasked with the frontline role
in restoring Ireland’s once-tattered reputation abroad, and in
championing our economic cause. And they have been hugely successful in
doing that – both in European capitals, influencing key decisions at
European Council level, and in major cities, organisations and political
capitals around the world,” Mr Gilmore said.

“This expansion of
the embassy network will help to bolster that effort, and, crucially, to
drive Ireland’s economic recovery which has been export-led. It
will equip Ireland to take advantage of emerging opportunities and will
provide certainty for business that resources will be in place to
support them in key markets and regions. In short, it is an investment
in the future of our country.”

Ireland controversially closed the embassy to the Holy See in late 2011, along with its embassy in Iran and its office in Timor Leste.

The Government said at the time that Ireland could be represented by way of a non-resident ambassador to the Holy See.

Mr
Gilmore said this morning that Ireland had long been underrepresented
abroad in comparison with other countries of a similar size.

“While we have just 300 diplomats promoting our economic and strategic interests in 73 locations abroad, countries like Norway, Finland,
Denmark and the Netherlands have a far greater global presence which
leaves Ireland at a distinct disadvantage when trying to compete in both
emerging and established markets,” Mr Gilmore said in a statement.

“In
doing this, we are closing some of the obvious gaps where Ireland
currently has little or no footprint. Our aim is to complement the work
and global presence of our State agencies as we continue to win new
business for Ireland.”

The cost of
establishing the new missions is expected to come to a net €4.7 million
annually, and will be covered from within the existing Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade budget.

The new embassies and consulates will be small in size, ranging from one to three diplomatic staff.

Ireland’s embassy to Lesotho
will be closed, with Ireland’s embassy in South Africa assuming
responsibility for the Kingdom of Lesotho.